The Health Ministry has released a set of safety guidelines for traditional Avurudu games organised across the country during the festive season, aiming to prevent accidents and serious medical complications among participants and spectators.
The guidelines were issued by the ministry’s Non-Communicable Diseases Unit and pay particular attention to commonly held games such as pillow fighting, breaking pots, village races, cycling, swimming, canoeing, lime-and-spoon races, climbing the greasy pole, tug-of-war and sack races. While festive in spirit, the ministry said, these activities carry real risks because of their competitive nature and can lead to injuries or sudden cardiac and respiratory complications if organised without basic safety precautions.
The advisory comes ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, expected to fall around April 13–14, when communities, schools and workplaces traditionally host games and outdoor competitions. Hospitals routinely report a spike in injuries during the Avurudu period, particularly involving children, falls from greasy poles, and cardiac events triggered by sudden exertion.
The full guidelines have been published by the Health Ministry as a public document for organisers to consult before staging any festival events.
The advisory adds a public-health dimension to the seasonal regulatory push around Avurudu. The Consumer Affairs Authority has been conducting nationwide raids on rice millers, restaurants and traders accused of hoarding or overpricing essentials in the run-up to the New Year.
